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Adults are typically 30–50 millimetres (1.2–2.0 in) long, although individuals up to 90 mm (3.5 in) have been recorded.[2] The animals have cryptic colouration, being a sandy brown colour, which can be changed to match the environment.[2] They live in shallow water, which can also be slightly brackish, and feed nocturnally.[2] During the day, they remain buried in the sand to escape predatory birds and fish, with only their antennae protruding.

Crangon is classified in the family Crangonidae, and shares the family's characteristic sub-chelate first pereiopods (where the movable finger closes onto a short projection, rather than a similarly sized fixed finger) and short rostrum.[3]

Adults live epibenthically (on or near the sea-floor) especially in the shallow waters of estuaries or near the coast.[6] It is generally highly abundant, and has a significant effect on the ecosystems it lives in.[6]

Females reach sexual maturity at a length of around 22–43 mm (0.87–1.69 in), while males are mature at 30–45 mm (1.2–1.8 in).[7] The young of Crangon crangon hatch from their eggs into planktoniclarvae. These pass through five moults before reaching the "post-larva" stage, at which point they settle to the sea-floor.[7]

The brown shrimp enjoys great popularity in Belgium and its neighbouring countries. It is the basis of the dish tomate-crevette, where the shrimp are mixed with mayonnaise and served in a hollowed-out uncooked tomato. The shrimp croquette is another Belgian specialty; the shrimp are in the interior of the battered croquette along with melted cheese. Fresh unpeeled brown shrimp are often served as a snack accompanying beer, typically a sour ale or Flemish red such as Rodenbach.[10]